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August 26, 2010

Andrea
Irland, Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park Service, lists
Monroe County points of interest at the Aug. 17 Monroe County
Meeting for Regional Trails Charrette held at the Senior Center.Photo by Martha Ackerman

Trails Charrette Held
Andrea Irland of the National Park Service led a meeting
concerning regional trails Aug. 17 at the
MonroeCountySeniorCenter. Approximately 30
interested citizens. Dottie Milton and Danny D. Popp, who are
members of the Ohio Valley Riverfront Development Committee in BelmontCounty
were also in attendance.

The purpose of the meeting, noted Milton,
was to take a look at the strengths and to get stakeholders
together to develop future trails, noting that
BelmontCounty has very few
trails. Monroe
County
has only the trail located off
Airport Road and, according to Chad
Wilberger, of Wayne
National Forest, there are a few
trails in WNF.

A brainstorming session was held to identify the good things and
points of interest
MonroeCounty has to offer. Ideas were shared.
Some of the points of interest mentioned included Ring’s Mill,
Lamping Home-stead, Kiedaish Point,
PiattPark and
ShadowLake. “I think what we’re
identifying here is
MonroeCounty’s best kept
secrets,” said Aaron Miller.

Aaron and Charlene Miller of Team Monroe have been actively
pursuing the development of trails in the county and are working
with neighboring county groups to possibly connect trails.

“I encourage you to continue to think regionally,” said Irland.
“Putting counties together gives more opportunities for grants.”

A new Monroe County Board of Elections Deputy Director was sworn
in Aug. 20 at the office of Beth Rose, Clerk of Courts. “I’m
anxious for Aug. 23 to come for Molly to come on board,” said
Board of Elections Director Betty Rousenberg as she gave Molly
Landefeld a packet of information after she was sworn in by
Rose. “I’m eager to get started and I hope to do the county a
good job,” said Landefeld, who graduated from Ohio University
Athens with a major in accounting and business pre-law. Shown,
from left, are Dustin Landefeld, Molly Landefeld, Clerk of
Courts Beth Rose, Board of Elections Director Betty Rousenberg,
Jeannette Coss, Becky Highman; back: Davey Landefeld with Mason,
Paul Highman and David Landefeld.
Photo by Martha Ackerman

Following an hour and ten minute executive session that began
minutes after calling the board meeting to order,
Sardis
resident Kevin Winkler voiced his concerns.

“What was the purpose of the executive session and why were the
architects called back into the meeting?” asked Winkler.

Board president Scott Dierkes said, “We had a lot of questions
and comments that the architects needed answers to.”

“Where, in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), does it underline the
need to enter into executive session with the architects? That
should be public; these are public schools that are being built
with public money. This is why people are becoming upset and
worry that money is going to be taken from one school to build
another,” said Kevin Winkler.

Dierkes said that dates, monies, turning lanes, additional
costs, and even complications were being discussed that have
delayed progress at the building sites.

Superintendent Larry Elliott said that the hiring of personnel
and construction matters were addressed in the session and were
required to be kept confidential.

Winkler insisted the session was not allowed according to the
ORC because it does not permit an executive session regarding
the building of public schools. He then said that the executive
session checklist had 16 purposes listed on it that
specifically state the purpose for the executive session.

Winkler said the following were marked as the purpose for the
session:

• To consider the appointment of a public employee or official.

• To prepare for negotiations or bargaining sessions with public
employees concerning their compensation or other terms and
conditions of their employment.

• To review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public
employees concerning their compensation or other terms and
conditions of their employment.

• To consider matters required to be kept confidential by
federal law or regulations or state statutes.

Kevin Winkler said that beginning the executive with four board
members and then calling the administrators and architects back
into the meeting was wrong. He added that public disdain and
anger over the lack of progress at each building site is only
made worse by actions like that.

Dierkes repeatedly said that there was nothing to hide in the
meetings, only to keep confidential what is required of them.

Board member Janet Schwall, addressing Winkler, said, “Please
let me make it clear; we are not trying to hide anything. We are
dealing with the state. We’re not trying to hide anything; we’re
only discouraged because things are not going as smoothly as we
would like but we will all have something great when these
schools are built. When you leave here, tell people we are not
hiding anything; I promise you that. Tell people to call us with
their questions and we will make every attempt to answer them.”

In an unrelated matter, Kevin Winkler asked about a report that
the Hannibal Pool will be closed next season because of
construction at RiverHigh School.
The board said that it has been discussed but nothing is
definite yet.

Following the discussion, George Richardson, administrative
assistant, addressed Winkler’s earlier comments by saying, “In
regards to the money set aside for each school project...We
cannot, under any circumstances, take money from one school and
give it to another to cover the costs of the other school. It
just can’t happen...Each school has been allocated a set amount
of money and each must stay within their budget. That means
adjusting and revising plans if a problem arises to make certain
it remains within budget.”

According to documents, each school project is designed around a
budget. That budget must remain unchanged. If a project faces a
problem and may go over budget, the project is stopped, plans
are revised until a new plan that works comes under budget and
then the project resumes. No money can be taken from one school
to accommodate another. Every school will be built using money
set aside specifically and only for that school.

In other business, the board discussed money that has been
earmarked for turning lanes on State Route 78 that will lead to
MonroeCentralHigh
School and Woodsfied Elementary. The
total cost of the project will be $1.2 million. $600,000 will
come from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

In an unrelated matter, Tom Scott, community developer,
requested the board’s consideration for investing money into the CommercePark
feasibility study. Dierkes said certain laws must be followed
and the board would provide Scott with information when
available.

Following the discussion of new business, the board again
entered into an executive session for matters required to be
kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state
statutes.

The Board of Education will hold their next meeting on September
2 at 6 p.m.

The Monroe County Junior Fair got underway with the Monroe
Central Band, 4-H floats, political candidates and several
horses. The evening turned cooler but the excitement heated up
for Monroe County Junior Fair Royalty candidates Monday evening.
Cassie Amos, the 2009 queen, and Rikki Decker, 2009 princess,
were on hand to crown the 2010 royalty, from left, King Mitchell
Earley, son of David and Amanda Earley of New Matamoras; Queen
Ayla Isaly, daughter of Devin and Lisa Isaly of Powhatan Point;
and Princess Ciara Smith, daughter of Randy and Connie Smith of
Lewisville.Photo by Martha
Ackerman

Behind the century old grandstand at the Monroe County
Fairgrounds, Monroe County Commissioners held their regular
meeting on August 23 beneath the entertainment tent.

Spencer “Woody” Frame met with commissioners at 9:30 a.m. to
discuss the possibility of the county placing an ad in Frame’s
up and coming magazine.

According to Frame, the magazine will be very similar to one
which is published in Amish Country. He said that his magazine
will focus on tourism in the OhioValley,
centering on counties and communities bordering the
Ohio River.

“The businesses of
MonroeCounty have really shown
an interest and have taken ads to support this effort and
promote the county,” said Frame.

Frame reported that the magazine will be distributed at various
home and garden exposition shows across
Ohio, West Virginia, and
Pennsylvania. He said that the first
issue will be out in September. According to Frame, 20,000
issues are being printed. The magazine will have 5 issues a
year.

Commission president John Pyles asked about the ad size and
whether the magazine will be placed on the internet.

Frame said a live link will be placed on the county’s
advertisement that will be circulating on the magazine’s
website. Through that link, website visitors can click on it and
redirect them to
MonroeCounty’s new website.

“I’m trying to bring people together because each area of the
county tries to be their own ‘island in the stream.’ But if we
can do this collectively, there’s a lot of potential ahead,”
said Frame.

Commissioners agreed that the ad would be well worth the money.
A final decision on the matter was not rendered at that time.

According to Frame, the ad cost will be shared by the Chamber of
Commerce and the county. The ad is expected to be $1,674.96
annually.

In other business, Jeanette Harter, Jobs and Family Services
(JFS) director, met with commissioners to discuss several
issues.

Harter first presented commissioners with a 2010 fiscal year
summary with the following report from July 1, 2009- June 30,
2010:

1) Food stamps issued: $1,279,888

2) Fraud collection: $3,383.05

3) PRC loans (car repair, rent, utilities, etc.) $83,518.90

4) Emergency services to preserve or reunify children in their
homes: $39,564.94

5) Post adoption subsidy: $6,482

6) Supplemental employment program: $18,056.12

7) Adult program (both regular and stimulus) this program pays
for tuition, books, travel, etc. for adults in the county to
further their education: $50,944.70

8) Dislocated worker program: $132,691.35 (both regular and
stimulus)

9) Youth in and out of school program: $153,241.79 (both regular
and stimulus, for youths ages 14-21 and was extended to age 24
for the stimulus grant).

• Four work sites hired or are in the process of hiring the
youth that worked for them, with one monitor securing a full
time position because of her experience.

• Most work sites are requesting the same workers to work for
them again in 2011.

Child support performance has improved significantly according
to Harter.

“We are exceeding performance measures at the state level in two
of four categories and are only five percent away from meeting
performance measures in the other two. Prior to 2009, we were
failing performance in all four categories,” said Harter.

Within child services, the department has facilitated the
adoption of five children in 2009 and are finalizing two
adoptions for this year.

According to Harter, “There were 79 abuse and neglect complaints
screened into the agency and 23 screened out.”

In finishing her report Harter noted various agency-wide
accomplishments since changing to four 10 hour days, including:

• Utility savings from January 2010- August 2010 $13,562.65

“No overtime has been paid out to any employees. Children
Services is working less overtime because they are able to
perform home visits after school lets out at 3:30 p.m. and can
get many of them accomplished before the 5:30 p.m. quitting
time. It is also important to note that absenteeism is at its
lowest level and we are receiving a very positive feedback from
the public because we are available before the public starts
work and after they end their workday,” said Harter.

Harter added that most benefits have been automated and are
loaded on debit cards at the state level. She said, “The days of
picking up a benefits check are over.”

In closing, Harter said, “We are very proud that we are one of
them few JFS left that have not lost jobs. There have been no
layoffs in fiscal year 2010 and to date in fiscal year 2011.
This is a testament that we are continually doing more with
diminishing resources and serving the community with vital
programs.”

Commissioner Carl Davis complimented Harter saying, “These
accomplishments have been completed because of you and your
exceptional staff.”

Pyles said, “This is great and it is because of Jeanette and her
staff that JFS is operating where it needs to be.”

In other business, Harter announced that the GAAP conversion has
been completed.

Harter said much was completed in the short amount of time that
was given to finish the audit.

To clarify an issue that has been brought up about Harter
handling the GAAP conversion, she said, “The GAAP audit is not
an audit of the county offices or my own office; it is a
compilation of the statements to change them from cash to GAAP.”

Harter and commissioners praised Lisa Woodfurd, Local Government
Services, for her hard work and dedication to her job.

Davis and Price thanked Harter for her services and time in
assisting with the GAAP audit conversion. According to Price,
the county saved roughly $25,000 by utilizing Harter’s services.

Following the meeting, commissioners toured the fairgrounds and
viewed the newly painted grandstand. The paint was donated by
Sherwin-Williams to the county for the specific purpose of using
it for the grandstand according to commissioners.

Monroe County Commissioners will hold their next meeting Monday
August 30 at 9 a.m.

You know it’s going to be a rough day when you wake up looking
like your driver’s license picture

This is a busy time of the year, with the county fair, school
starting and dog days all coming together.

As a result of a project of the Pioneer Larger Parish, we
purchased a back pack and supplies for a student. I’m really
glad I didn’t need a back pack when I was attending grade
school. I do think maybe some who were the top students had what
we called a book satchel. I didn’t have one.

I was reading the other day, the suggestions, maybe
requirements, a first grader should bring to school the first
day. Wow! I counted 26 things they should have the first day.
This counts the items not just different things. I would have
never made it. I don’t remember what I had to take to the first
grade, except maybe I knew when I needed to go to the bathroom.
I do remember a couple of boys in the second grade we called
dirty neck boys. I also recall being a “Bluebird” in the third
grade. This was a special group for us. Oh well, times change.

Thinking about school I got to wondering how many of you
remember the ink well in our desk way back when? You had an ink
holder you could stick in the hole and write with a stick pen.
You dipped it in the ink and did your writing in ink. I think it
was around the third or fourth grade you got to use a pen. I
never did learn to master the stick pen as most of the time my
stick pen would stick. Then the fountain pen with the rubber
inside that you sucked the ink into and you could write without
sticking your pen in the ink well. This type of pen could make a
big blot if it came apart. Ink and I never did get along very
well together.

I forgot to mention it last week and I’m sure you have seen the
picture of our outstanding horseshoe pitchers in the county.
Several finished high when all was counted up. this was the
World Contest which is no little backyard contest.

Then I understand the building where the event was held was, of
all things, air conditioned. How’s that for living high on the
horse?

Our horseshoe pitchers in the county are to be congratulated on
their accomplishments at the World Contest. It’s good to know we
have folks in the county that can really pitch - horseshoes that
is.

Did you hear about the thief that stole a calender and got 12
months?

Just when you think you have things figured out things change.
Because my Topsy Turvy tomato had four tomatoes and a lot of
bloom dropping off, I thought maybe my neighbor in
Malta
was correct. I had set out my tomato in the wrong sign.

I was wrong. My tomato now have at least nine or more tomatoes
at various stages of development. One not as big as the end of
your little finger. I’m not sure how many I’ll have reach the
red phase, so I’m not counting my tomatoes until they are ready
to provide the inside of a sandwich.

I am a tink disappointed, I thought I’d have good display of
tomatoes for the fair. Someone did have an excellent Topsy Turvy
tomato plant at the fair last year. Oh well, I can’t write
Master Gardener after my name yet.

As I sit here on the deck trying to think of something to write
about and lawn mowers are in operation and I can almost hear the
stupid grass in our lawn growing. Due to having to be away from
home several days last week, our lawn was almost the same as
mowing hay on Monday. I will have to admit it was much easier to
do than with our race horse and little mule years ago.

All things that show up on the internet are not all bad.
Sometimes you get somethings you had never heard and it turns
out to be correct. For example, the hatching of eggs.

The eggs of a potato bug hatches in seven days, those of the
canary in 14 days, those of a barnyard hen in 21 days, those of
ducks and geese in 28 days, those of a mallard in 35 days, and
those of the parrot and ostrich hatch in 42 days. Notice, they
all are divisible by seven, the number of days in the week.

Also the four legs of an elephant all bend forward in the same
direction. A horse gets up on its two front legs, a cow with its
two hind legs first.

Now, don’t try to tell me this just happens.

Middle age is the awkward time when Father Time starts catching
up with Mother Nature.

What makes church attendance drop off during the summer? Is
summer weather the fault?

I’d like to express my appreciation for the responses I’ve
gotten about the Feiock Store article. It’s so gratifying to
know that people still remember Grandpa and Uncle Chuck so
fondly. Good memories are one of God’s many blessings.

Janet Stoffel
Lewisville

Dear Editor,

Read with interest the scam in today’s Beacon. I had a friend
(not from the area) that fell for that sort of thing. I’m
forwarding this email I got yesterday because it is the same
type of thing, only by email. I had received a warning just last
week about this on the internet. I wouldn’t have been tempted to
do it anyway, but how many people might be? Good to get the
warnings out!

Customer Service!

This mail is to remind you of your registered package. CONTENT:
Bank Draft of $800,000.00 USD officially registered by an
Official of the United Nation Lottery Board.

For your information the VAT and COD have Date: 5th of June
2010. This parcel has been in our custody for too long and we
are about returning it to the sender if you do not come up and
claim your parcel immediately.

For your information the VAT and COD have been paid. Please
contact FedEx Delivery Department Mr. David Moore for shipment
details and requirements.

NOTE: Delivering of your fund will cost you $165 to deliver your
fund to your door step, if you are not interested in getting
your fund please do not contact Mr. David Moore.

Thanks, Pat Shaw
Woodsfield

Dear Editor,

Here’s to all the volunteers that give countless hours, money
and exhaustive energy for the welfare of
MonroeCounty’s abused, neglected
and all too often abandoned animals. These are the unsung
heroes.

Why do the volunteers do it? Unconditional love. For every
animal that enters our shelter doors an average of $100 is
spent. Each and every dollar raised is spent wisely and
cautiously to benefit these animals. We rely on community
fundraisers and private donations to make this shelter work.
These individuals are the true unsung heroes and need your
continued support. What helps the most? Please spay and neuter
your pets.

Sincerely, Ilaina Carter

Woodsfield

Dear Editor,

Why were we fooled by Switzerland of Ohio Schools again?

First of all, I want to thank you for voting for the school levy
for new school buildings. If you did not vote for it, I say
thanks and you were not fooled by the school administration. The
administration told us voting for these buildings would create
world class education for the students. New buildings do not
compensate for good teaching or hiring qualified teachers.

If you look at the Agriculture Mechanics program at SwissHillsCareerCenter
in the past few years we would find that after two well
qualified teachers retired from the program, it has went down
hill with students not participating in FFA or having SAE
projects. Martin Winkler, board member Ron Winkler’s son, having
no agricultural mechanics education was hired through an
alternative licensure process. Then in January, Martin took a
leave of absence and a full time substitute was put in the
classroom.

At a June board meeting Nathan Merrifield was hired as the new
agricultural mechanics teacher. He is the son of a current
teacher at SwissHillsCareerCenter,
again we find another teacher licensed alternatively. Nathan the
step-son of former agricultural mechanics teacher Gary Cook,
went to college at WYO Tech for high performance auto and then
worked at Whitesides of Cambridge obtaining collision and
refinishing certificates. I agree that Nathan may have engine
background. Nathan has agreed to a contract that includes 30
total extra days that we are paying for over two years to offset
the cost of his education, so he can renew his alternative
license in a couple years. Why should we pay for schooling for
someone, when they had a highly qualified teacher according to
No Child Left Behind and Ohio Department of Education apply for
this position? Legally can they hire Nathan, yes, is the short
answer. Ethically should they have hired him? You’ll have to
answer that yourself.

We have great students in this school system and we expect our
funds to be used wisely. Send a loud and clear message to the
board members and superintendent. You need to call
Superintendent Elliott at 472-5803 or board members: Scott
Dierkes, Edward Carleton, Teresa Gallagher, Ronald Winkler, and
Janet Schwall, and tell them that this is Switzerland of Ohio
School District not the family and friends school district.
Contact me at: jeffreyw carpenter@yahoo.com

CALLISTA L. HABIG
Callista L. Habig, 77,
168 Andover Rd., Woodsfield, died
Aug. 18, 2010 at Emerald Pointe, Barnesville. She was born June
6, 1933 in Proctor,
W.Va., a daughter of the late Albert and
Bernetta Barbara Shutler Herrick.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. Sylvester Catholic
Church, Woodsfield.

Surviving are her husband, Charles K. Habig, whom she married
July 4, 1953; three daughters, Dolores Habig of Canton, Barbara
(Mark) Williams of Woodsfield, Mary Habig of Springfield,
Vermont; six sons, Charles (Shirley) Habig of Malaga, Daniel
(Lisa) Habig of Wilson, Bradley Habig of Lewisville, Wendell
(Missy) Habig of Bridgeport, Bruce (Danyel) Habig of Woodsfield,
Karl Brent (Kay) Habig of Delmar, Delaware; a brother, Albert
Herrick of New Martinsville; three sisters, Helena Baxter of New
Martinsville, Rose Goddard of Proctor, Virginia Novel of
Moundsville; 22 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren on the way.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven
brothers, Edwin, John, Andrew, Martin, Eugene, Clem and Tom
Herrick; and two sisters, Beulah Estep and Lucille Herrick.

Friends were received Aug. 22 at Watters Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, Funeral liturgy with mass was held Aug. 23 at
Sylvester Catholic Church, Woodsfield, with Rev. Fr. David
Gaydosik officiating. Burial followed in the St. Sylvester
Catholic Cemetery, Woodsfield. Vigil services were held Aug. 22
at the funeral home.

RAYMOND
REISCHMAN
Raymond “Jimmy” Reisch-man, 94, Miltonsburg, died Aug. 16, 2010,
at Woodsfield Nursing and
RehabilitationCenter. He was born Sept.
1, 1915 in MonroeCounty, a son of the late
Nicholas and Barbara Riesbeck Reischman.

He drove bus for St. John the BaptistChurch,
worked at Stegner Tire Shop and worked as a mechanic for the
Chevrolet garage in Woods-field and spent many years working at
Bob’s Chevrolet in Barnesville before opening his own garage in
Miltonsburg.

Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Edith Kress Reischman of
Miltonsburg; a daughter, Barbara Reischman of Mil-tonsburg;
three sons, Roger (Pat) Reischman of Barnes-ville, Dale (Joan)
Reischman of Glendale, Arizona, Virgil Reischman of Marietta; a
brother, Eddie Reischman of Miltonsburg; four grandchildren,
Chris, Michael and Joey Reischman of Glendale, Arizona, Terra
Reischman Donathan of St. Clairsville; and great-grandchildren,
Ryan, Taylor, Luke and Aiden.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an
infant son, Raymond, who died at birth; two brothers, Clem and
Francis Reischman; and an infant grandson, James Michael
Reischman.

Friends were received Aug. 18 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield. A private Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug. 19.
Burial was in St. John the
BaptistCatholic
ChurchCemetery, Miltonsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodsfield Emer-gency
Squad, Woodsfield VFD or the Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept. K-9
Unit.

Condolences may be expressed at www.bauerturner.com.

RALPH
E. EARLEY Ralph Ernest Earley, 85, Manor of Wayne,
Wayne,
MI, died May 23, 2010. He was born
May 16, 1925 in Woodsfield, a son of the late Asher O. Earley
and Rose Yockey-Earley.

He served proudly in the U.S. Army, 63rd Infantry Division,
during WWII in Germany and France, where he was awarded the
Bronze Star. He graduated from OhioStateUniversity
with a long career in Pharmacy in both Ohio
and Michigan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
wife, whom he met and married in
Berlin, Germany, Sarah M. Childs-Earley and
who also served four years in the U.S. Army during WWII; and a
sister, Martha Lou Earley-Scott.

Condolences may be made to Ralph Earley Family at
419 Plum St., Westland, MI48186.

Crane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

MARTHA L. POTTSMartha L. Reynolds Potts, 82,
Sardis, died Aug. 19, 2010 at
ReynoldsMemorialHospital, Glen Dale, W.Va. She was born Aug. 23, 1927 in Sardis, a daughter of the
late Ralph and Clara Holtsclaw Reynolds.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She
was a homemaker; a member of Duffy Church of Christ; Duffy VFW
Ladies Auxiliary; and a member of the Sardis Community Club and
Lights Committee.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Wilson “Nick” Potts, Sr. on April 4, 1987; two
brothers, Charles and Elmer Reynolds; and five sisters, Helen
Greene, Juanita Bolen, Margaret Price, Della Fagert and Mary
Crawford.

Friends were received Aug. 22 at Grisell Funeral Home, Sardis, where funeral services were held Aug.
23, with Evangelist Dave Lively officiating. Burial was in HarterCemetery,
Hannibal.